1778-1829

Location: First Floor, Room 136, North Wall, Sequence 6

Source: Kedzie Collection

Davy was a pioneer in the study of the chemical action of an electric current, and is best known for his discovery, through electrolysis of their salts, of the elements sodium and potassium, and the alkaline earths barium, strontium, calcium and magnesium. He also discovered the physiological action of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), obtained boron from borax and potassium, proved that diamond is a form of carbon, and invented a safety lamp for miners. His public lectures at the Royal Institution in London greatly popularized and added to the prestige of science.